During the proceedings, a young woman did a small reading. The young woman was dressed in regular clothing, however while she was reading, I had a striking vision of her wearing the clothing of a Sister, and bearing a radiant, serene smile. I could hear her voice pattering gently on in the background, but couldn’t understand nor later remember any of what she read.

Later on during lunch, I saw the same young woman sitting with some ladies – some of whom were Sisters. I had a sudden impulse to tell her what I had seen; embarrassing as it was to interrupt strangers with what would sound extremely odd. This was not the first time this type of thing had happened to me, and I knew I was being prompted and propelled to pass the message on, though I could not think why it would matter. As I approached her to speak, the other ladies fell silent. I told her what I had seen, and also that I was being prodded to tell her. She looked up shyly, but rewarded me with that same radiant and serene smile I had seen in my mind’s eye.

The older nun sitting next to her beamed in delight. ‘Angela…a message for you!’ The older woman turned to me. ‘She has been making her final decision on whether to join us,’ she said quietly. ‘She was almost decided…and I think you might have just helped her along her way.’ She grasped my hand and I felt the warm peace of Christ within her, flow into me. It was a special moment.

I left them in a mixture of awe, and embarrassment and later guilt as I began to question my actions. Becoming a nun was serious, inspiring yet life-changing step for a young woman. Had I the right to (unwittingly) interfere? Should I have left the words unsaid?

Later that night I shared the story with my husband, who said simply, ‘Why would you have been given that special vision if you weren’t meant to do anything about it?’ His simple logic was a tonic to my unnecessary self-reproach. It wasn’t about me. It never was. It is only about God and what we must do for Him when he asks. I touched the medal still around my neck which incidentally had mysteriously fallen off several times during that day and was reminded of the poem, ‘Do it Anyway’ which were written on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta, India.

Do it anyway.

Nowdays I try not to question those things too deeply, but to listen to the prompts and do whatever it is I am being asked to do without my own emotions or inhibitions getting in the way. It isn’t our place to question, but to only act in humility so that we might know God’s grace. And should my message fall on deaf ears, or bring reprimand, then I only have to remember those words.

Do it anyway.

Tracey

I do believe however, that there are two very different kinds of pride. One is a foolish pride, of believing and in telling others that we have a better life than they, and spouting of ours, or of our children’s achievements shamelessly (not to be mistaken with a person’s joy in someone’s genuine achievements.) There’s nothing wrong with being proud about something, nor in telling someone about it, but the way that we do it is where the difference lies.

Some Christian people from time to time realise that they possess a wisdom that others don’t seem to have. We ask ourselves why those others don’t see things the way that we do, and becoming frustrated about it is easy. This where we come up against the very fundamental pride. People generally don’t like being told what to do, nor how to make their life better, because it comes with a price they will not pay – sacrificing their dignity or shall we say, pride. By pride, I mean, an acceptable pride, one which states very clearly; My dignity, feelings and self-respect are at stake. We cannot tell people what to do, because it means we have decided that their way isn’t good enough, and we know better, and that is misplaced Christianity.

For the mother who wants to tell her daughter or daughter-in-law how to raise her children? Before you say one word, ask yourself if your way really IS the best way, or are you just telling her what you did because you don’t want her to do it differently, and truly believe your way is best? For the neighbour who is struggling with money, or a difficult separation – you telling them how to budget, keep their marriage together, or deal with other societal issues will be viewed as intrusive, and presumptuous, and not get the desired effect.
Working at the soft approach takes many, many years of practice, but can be easy to begin with in taking small steps.

Take the mother-daughter situation. You see your daughter or daughter-in-law using things for her baby that weren’t around in your day – things that you may feel are a complete waste of her money, plus you may view them as creating a lazy attitude towards things she should be doing herself. Don’t tell her not to use them, because she will. However, if you see her struggling to breastfeed her baby, and you think she could benefit from your experience, then you can get her to listen without sounding pushy.

“I often used to lie down on the lounge with my babies.” Said with a warm, encouraging smile, and hot milk, will allow her time to absorb your idea, and save her pride. She is a mother now, and she will make many mistakes, just like you did, but she will still learn, just like you did. Your role will be in knowing when to just be there, and when to open your mouth, the same as when she was learning how to ride her bike, or went on her first outing alone with her friends. We all know how difficult it is for a parent to have to sit back and watch their child fall from a bike, or discover that their new boyfriend is a creep.

Don’t ignore things that really need your help, but you can do more good in most situations by simply asking what she wants you to do.

“How can I help?” (said with a kind smile).
Daughter-in-laws are even more sensitive to offhand comments, especially after the birth of a baby, or in dealing with their children. Mothers are protective of their offspring, and they believe that they know best. Who’s to say that your way IS necessarily the right one? You stating that you always smacked your children with the belt, and that it ‘never hurt them,’ while her son is throwing a tantrum, isn’t the point. Smacking is currently frowned on, and if you have something in your hand at the time, you risk breaking the law.

My mother, bless her, occasionally gets annoyed if my sisters and I don’t take her advice. She told me something one day, and I replied that I do it differently. Today, however, I found myself doing something that VERY way she told me to do it, but couldn’t make myself accept it at the time. Foolish pride…again.

When you’re helping someone, remember the rules. Do it with humbleness, and don’t say any more than you have to.

A humble heart can better reach another, than an imperious one. The wisdom that God has blessed you with stands alone, and does not require the adornments of a vainglorious person to impart it. Approach your fellow people with humbleness, and they will open their hearts and minds to you.

As I drove myself, alone to the doctors, I kept thinking that it could be malignant and what on earth would that mean to me. To keep these unhelpful thoughts at bay and get my mind off the subject, I switched on the radio. Of all things to be on that time, that day and that channel, there was a Christian program on with a noted Christian American Pastor. This was a man had recently had to deal with his own mortality in the form of a serious cancer, but who was currently in remission and talked of his pain, his struggles and what life held for him.

Listening intently, I started to think of my own small worry and how there are always many other people who face uncertainty, tragedy and times of trial and realised that this was one of those times where there is always someone worse off than yourself. I should have been giving thanks for what I had in my life and trusted in God. Worry means we are not giving ourselves to Him. We are not trusting Him to look after us, so we are constantly taking the reins and saying, like a small child, ‘I can do it myself!’

Two minutes up the road, I picked up a very weary looking older man carrying a petrol can, who needed a ride back to his car. As the cancer program still played softly in the background, the man asked me where I was headed that day.

Not given to discuss personal details with strangers, I was surprised to find myself telling him about the lump on my leg. He was quiet for a moment, and looked out of his window and I actually htought perhaps he had not heard or cared. Then, he quietly shared the news that his wife that had been diagnosed with a breast lump two days before which was thought to be cancer.

All thoughts of my own strange (undiagnosed) lump forgotten, I found myself telling him about recent improvements in the care of Breast cancers, knowing deep down what in truth they may be facing. It was his expression, though, which told of quiet acceptance for his lot in life, brought me to a humbled state of grace and brought tears unbidden to my eyes, but a small, watery smile to my face at the gift of this wonderful stranger.

I prayed for him silently, and when I later dropped him back to his car with a full can of petrol, I squeezed his hand and said I would pray for him and his wife.

There are no answers for why things happen the way that they do, and there is no simple remedy either for someone else’s grief. I realised then that the tapestry of all our lives as a human race is woven in such complicated pattern that certain parts of the pattern have to stop, no matter how beautiful, before others can begin. And without certain tiny pieces, the tapestry as a whole could not be appreciated. God weaves life around a goal that we do not see, and things happen that need to happen. We can only comfort those who grieve, and cannot afford to take anything for granted -Not our children, our friends, or the simple ability to appreciate what we DO have, and most of all to have the Grace to give thanks.

Sometimes we become so comfortable in our own infinitesimal world, that we risk becoming distant from the real, and sometimes tragic events that shape the world…the world for those around us, and sometimes our own world. At these times we risk becoming ineffectual Christians, risk becoming an automated community who dress for church each Sunday with audacious pride, but who remove all Christian obligations as we close the church door and remove our Sunday best.

God calls us more often than we realize—every day, every hour. Our spouses, children, neighbours, friends and strangers call on us to live our Christian faith. Just as we don’t close the church door to strangers, the door of our hearts must be open in order for us to hear the call of God.

But are we truly listening? Do we indeed hear the voice of Jesus disguised as our small son in need, lonely stranger at the shop, or that acquaintance facing tragedy, or friend just needing our ear?

Dear Lord put opportunity in my way, show me ways to be your servant, and humble me to allow others to serve me also.

This small, yet effective prayer is one I wrote to open my heart to what is required of me, opening my heart to the needs of others, and in turn using those opportunities to invite Jesus into other people’s lives. For if we do not hear others’ calling us to help, then how can we expect God to hear us calling Him from the gates of Heaven?

Tracey

Sometimes we fail to see the mess we are creating with God’s wonderful gift of life. We fail also to see the importance of the gifts he gives us to use daily; gifts of the spirit which we receive at our confirmation; things that are available for us to use daily in our lives to benefit those around us. Instead, we choose to dig holes and dwell in dark tunnels avoiding the light and thus avoiding the truth. The truth cannot be avoided forever though and comes a day to us all that we are answerable to God himself.

Daily we must seek His guidance through the Holy Spirit, an awesome guide to the fruits of life without which we cannot live fully. We should seek also the wisdom provided by Jesus the Son. Jesus who died for us and whom we often forget to cherish as we busy ourselves in our daily routine. He is our constant companion and will show Himself to us in ways we cannot dream.

We must seek answers in the Word of God, in the words which give us hope and comfort and answers in ways which are not always as black and white as we presume. We must not forget Him who gave us life.

Finally, we must seek console with God Himself. We must go quietly within the chamber of our own heart to consult with God in prayer and thanksgiving. Only there do we see how fruitless it is to dig holes without answering to the truths we are provided with. Only then do we see what it is God wants of us, and in accepting this, allow the light of truth to govern our daily life.

Emerge on to the cliff top. Gaze at the rising sun and cast your eye across waters to watch a salmon dive magnificently across a wave in God’s vast ocean. Above you, in the clear blue sky, a falcon wheels through the cool air and breathes life as the Spirit breathes joy into our lives. Become aware of the light growing around you and be part of God’s plan and rejoice.

“The Family That Prays Together, Stays Together…”

Father Patrick Peyton CSC once said, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together.” Families that gather together to pray the Rosary is an encouragement to each person and a source of great strength for people and families to practice living in the faith with trust, truth and humble hearts.

Families can gather together in their living rooms or around their dining room tables to pray the Rosary, taking turns to lead the Rosary. If the family has time, or maybe plan to once a month they can share their concerns before beginning to pray the Mysteries of the Rosary and they can discuss how their lived experiences relate to the Mysteries of the Rosary. You might need time to build this process up, because the last thing you want to do is turn people away with the immediate introduction of voluminous praying of the Rosary (especially children and teens who think they are missing out on precious TV, games or internet time!).

There are various and creative ways families can gather to pray the Rosary. Families may want to begin by praying one decade a day or week and increase to praying the entire set of the Mysteries of the Rosary.

The Mysteries of the Rosary

During private recitation of the Rosary, each decade requires devout meditation on a specific mystery. With public or family Rosary, a leader announces each mystery before the decade, and starts each prayer.  

There are four sets of “Mysteries of the Rosary” included and said on certain days of the week: 

W Joyful

W Luminous

W Sorrowful

W Glorious

The Rosary is divided into five decades. Each decade represents a mystery or event in the life of Jesus: 

W The Apostle’s Creed is said on the Crucifix

W The Our Father is said on the large beads

W The Hail Mary is said on the small beads

W The Glory Be is said after the three Hail Mary’s at the beginning of the Rosary,

           and then after each decade of small beads.

W The Hail Holy Queen following the Glory Be after each decade only.

One morning I woke with a compelling feeling to go to church, but was confused about which church. I asked a couple of friends if I could go with them one Sunday, but for three Sundays sadly failed to find it. Was God turning me away, was it His way of telling me I was not to go? I went again, and this time I found it. I had parked right outside it for two Sundays and hadn’t even seen it! I wasn’t comfortable; there was a lot of loud praying and falling to knees, and I felt totally alienated. After two more visits decided that it wasn’t what I was looking for.

I was lost again, where could I go? I lacked courage to go on my own. In desperation, I asked my friends if could go to their Catholic church with them.  I was uneasy. My fathers family were lapsed Catholics and as a child I was always told to stay away from THEM. I remember going on a peace rally in Ireland, there were thousands of people there. A priest got up to say a prayer, a short prayer, and of course recited, “In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ”  and thousands of people crossed themselves, all at the same time! I was frightened of the power this man held over these people.

It was strange walking into St Helens and waited with curiosity for the service to begin. We all stood to sing the first hymn. The priest and the alter boys and girls walked in with the cross raised high and I thought it somewhat ostentatiousness. After a lot of amening, crossing, kneeling and reciting of prayers and responses it was happening again…I was out of my comfort zone…but what to do? I needed church, so I decided to give it another go, and besides, I liked the singing. I decided to give it a few weeks, but my faith was long in coming and there seemed a struggle going on inside me. I decided to talk to the priest about it. We sat in his garden with him and I told him of my fears and my struggle with the faith I was desperately trying to retrieve. He told me about Satan and how he didn’t want me to return to God and that I must resist. I thought it was a load of nonsense, but when I got home and sat and thought quietly about it, something in my heart told me he spoke the truth, and if I wanted to go back to God I would have to be willing to fight for it.

I continued to attend my Catholic church but I was missing something. All the ritual at the altar was unreal to me. Was this what I was really looking for? Then one Sunday I was sitting in church watching the preparation for the Eucharist and the simplicity of the mass suddenly hit me, I was bowled over, it was a revelation, and at that turning point knew I wanted to become a Catholic.

I nervously joined the R.C.I.A. for two years of instruction. I thought two years! I could be dead by then. But the priest assured me if that was to happen he would give me a lovely Catholic funeral! I enjoyed the instruction with three others and after eighteen months I was received into the Catholic church on November Ist 2007. This was, by far the most gratifying evening of my life. I felt uplifted, empowered. I was part of the family of God. I was saved. I am still a new Christian and struggle with my faith, but I am comfortable with God. I am happy.

I have come home.

Surrounded by people, I am oft at my loneliest.

Because God calls us, there can be times of true loneliness. Not loneliness in the physical sense, but deep in the spirit, where no other human being can reach. This place is deep within us, where neither family, or friends can neither touch, nor share. This is the place where your spirit dwells with God and the awesome nature of Him can be overwhelming.

You may feel alone with God’s demands of you, and sometimes cannot even find the strength to discuss it with your most trusted partner or friend. If things do not always make sense to you, how can you hope to explain them to someone else – even one who knows you almost as well as yourself?

God wants us to remember that we came into the world alone, leave this world alone, and so answer to Him – alone. These times of reflection are purposeful. We need time alone with God to get perspective and to pray, discerning what is needed from us, and to bask in the Glory of His Grace.

Your special time with God must be taken alone. You cannot go to your special place with the family around, the TV on, or in the car on the way to work. Solitude and peace are the only keys that will open the door to where the spirit is open to God, and where you will need to go on a regular basis. There, you will learn not to be afraid, and to breathe in the essence of life. Tune in to your spirit, to God, and when the time comes for you to face the passing of life, you will find it easier to reach inside to that special place where God dwells and draw deep founts of courage and peace. You will also know where to find God when you need him.

When God calls us, he often calls us to make sacrifices. Why do things always seem to right with others, but not me? You may find yourself asking, and, Why do I have to fight so hard in my life, when all around me, people’s lives seem to fall into place so easily? The fun, glory and richness that some others seem to have isn’t always the will of God and will pass. We are seeking eternal life and need to be constantly wary of accepting Satan’s easy fixes that he will present.

Sometimes you can look back, and actually SEE some sort of pattern which has brought you to your particular place and circumstance. The tiniest occurrence, if viewed as a speck of dirt makes more sense. Each speck alone has little appeal, but put together, creates a masterful, and rich landscape that tells its own story. Things will not always make sense to us, but to God they do – He sees the entire landscape.

Acknowledge and Accept.

You also may find yourself knowing too much. Not knowing in the academic sense, but a knowing that which embraces a depth and wisdom that the Holy Spirit provides you with order to fulfil your tasks on earth.

When you acknowledge God, and accept the purpose He has given you, you may find it difficult to accept commonplaceness that others’ find so easy to live with. Getting along with your life, as well as doing what God wants is a blend of today and the promise of tomorrow that comes from acceptance. After all, you KNOW that there is indeed magic and mystique in this world. You believe in miracles and have probably have witnessed God’s work with your own senses, and you wonder how others can live without what you have.

I have grappled with these things, and still have a way to go before everything falls into place for me, and indeed wonder if it there will ever be such a state of existence. I long for a constant state of humbled Grace and at times I feel very close yet life draws me away time after time. I am working on this, because the inkling of what can be achieved is something I need in my life in order to fulfill my tasks on earth.

I look at my parent’s lives, fraught with ups and downs and a never-ending series of events, which move them along their journey. There is no such thing as retirement from Christianity. They worked hard to make ends meet and to give us a good life, and are still persevering this way, but far from the materialistic; they are rich in spirit.

I believe God keeps us this way also. I don’t need new furniture or new clothes to feel fulfilled. Neither money nor fame will satisfy my cravings for wholeness. So when we see others getting what they want, we have to ask ourselves, do we really want the same as them, or do we fancy something as rich and satisfying as God’s good grace. And God will often bless and surprise you for your faithfulness.

Acceptance of your part in the larger scheme of things is the key to a more satisfying day, and going with the flow of the current with allow the light to shine into your future.

Pray about your circumstances. I feel lonely in my journey. Then take yourself to places where God dwells with the people, and replenish your spirit – church, prayer groups, or special Christian friends. Listening to Christian radio is nice for me because I then know that I am not truly alone in my quest.

When you find a special Christian friend, they are like finding a shining, golden spirit…a tiny fragment of Jesus. You may even only ever find a select few people that you link with in your journey towards the light, to share God’s purpose with. But when you do, you will feel so truly blessed. These people, you could spend a whole day with, and could talk without end. You feel alive and whole, as your spirit is filled once again. You cannot give and give without replenishment. These special people are often busy dividing time between their own life, and/or family, and in doing God’s work, so what little time you have is usually on a deep and meaningful level from the very start. Together you give each other energy, courage and strength. Remember to pray together with these people.

You must understand that these shining people have crossed your path for one or many reasons. You may never discover what that reason was/is. It may be for them, for you or for you both, however it WILL be for a reason – it is God’s will and orchestrated by his angels. Very many times though, you will actually discover some of the reasons why you have met a particular person. Many times in my life this has happened and when you look over your shoulder, the path is so full of light you wonder why you didn’t see it before.

Acknowledge, and accept.

The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father…)

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen…

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Fatima Prayer

Oh my Jesus, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven – especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen

My earliest experience of prayer was shared with my father, who would kneel beside my bed each night to pray with me – a small child of about three which continued until I was old enough to pray alone. I remember peeking into his face as he closed his eyes, and being in awe that he thought me special enough to pray with. He always said this prayer, as well as teaching me how to pray for things and people in my life.

 There are four corners to my bed, there are four angels at my head, and now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

I always wondered why Daddy wanted us to pray for God to take salt, but when I was old enough to understand that I was praying for God to take my soul, not salt, I became a little overwhelmed. I fully imagined God being really busy one night, listening to everyone’s prayers, and maybe would only hear the last part of mine, and that He would accidentally take my soul before I was really dead. Or worse, would He think I actually wanted to die? Or maybe just saying ‘…if I die…’ was enough to make me die…

I longed for the innocence I’d had. The questions were hard and the possibilities were endless. I was growing up and the world of adult faith was not so simple anymore.

A long time after that, when times changed and I grew both in years and in faith, I carried that small child, kneeling with her father in the sharing of prayer, inside me. I still carry that memory, though it has faded somewhat, the significance, and specialness of it has not.

That childish innocence in faith is something which is hard to maintain. Perhaps that I did lose it somewhere along the way, in my quest for growing up, cynically shedding all the cloaks of childhood along with it. But I grew to realise that it was that simplistic faith that God wanted for me. Not a sophisticated theological kind of faith, but the simple trust mirrored in the eyes of a child looking up to a parent.

A simple, trusting faith.

Traceyx